On Thursday 20 October, I presented the Governance Plan 2011-2015 at a public event, the document defining the main lines of action that will guide government action in this term and based on four pillars:
- Sitges as a town made up with people
- tourism as an engine of the Renaissance
- the search for new economic models
- respect for the environment and heritage
The Governance Plan is the tool that sets goals for the next four years, but also allows us a closer contact with reality, as it defines the speed and provides the administrative and financial feasability of planned actions. In summary, it's the scheduled corpus that the government of the New Majority has produced as the result of a exhaustive analysis of the difficult economic situation that we are facing, but with the determination that it constitutes an element of progress and renewed hope for Sitges its citizens.
The four pillars that structure the Governance Plan comprise a long list of actions that will implemented, supported or promoted the city of Sitges. We are talking here about four interconnected pillars, that globally draw a picture of a competitive Sitges, proud of its past and its integrating and diverse identity. A town that makes the active support to citizens the flagship of all its action.
In this sense, the first of the four points of the Governance Plan (Sitges as a town made up by people) is a absolute governmental priority, as it seeks to guarantee the integral development of individuals throughout their life cycle.The active employment policy, the implementation of specific training programs and active and real support to local businesses and entrepreneurs are basic principles of governmental action.
The second axis (tourism as engine of renaissance) is geared to activate a large umbrella from which hangs a wide range of actions to support Sitges as a quality tourist destination.Recover lost quality indexes and reposition ourselves on the international map requires synergies, establish joint actions with the private sector and offer a range of cultural and leisure activities that are large enough to become a decisive factor.
The third point is directly linked to above.The search for new economic models to diversify income and employment, and the creation of opportunities for entrepreneurs are actions that help to provide greater security to the town and its citizens. Meanwhile, a major municipal action-and an absolute necessity because of the debt - is sorting out the critical financial situation of the City Council, the outcome of the implementation of a management and investment model that was totally wrong. The introduction of a new culture of administration and resource management is a battle to be won every day.
Finally, but also linked to other points, the fourth axis - respect for the environment and heritage - should be assumed as a daily subject by the Administration and by all citizens.The criteria for the integrated planning and management of the coast by the municipality and the Cataleg of Heritage -which guarantees the preservation of our architectural essence - and the defense of the environment constitutes an obligation we have to pass on to future generations, so Sitges will be capable of keeping its identity and al those characteristics that makes us proud.
Finally, I take advantage of these lines to make my contribution to the simple but heartfelt tribute to the artist Manel Ferrer made last Sunday at the place that was his home, at the Lope de Vega Street. His brushes and his love for Sitges produced a long list of works of art with the image of la Punta, now present in homes all around the world and that have contributed to make Sitges even more universal.
